By
Atreyo Palit
Published Feb 19, 2026, 6:30 PM EST
They are a freelance list author for ScreenRant. They are passionate about introducing readers to lesser-known media, especially with a focus on representation. They're always scavenging for offbeat content that tells stories mainstream media won't, or that have been forgotten over time.
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Two months after its wide release, Marty Supreme is still running in theaters, winning over cinemagoers enthralled by Josh Safdie's masterful direction of controlled chaos and what might be Timothée Chalamet's best performance ever. Despite featuring no training arc, Marty Supreme is a quintessential sports movie that captures the anxiety-inducing mood of any good professional table tennis match.
With a marketing campaign that focused heavily on his casting and the larger-than-life persona he developed around the film, Chalamet proved Tom Cruise is not the last movie star, but he wasn't the only actor to stand out. His co-star, Odessa A'zion, has seen her profile rise significantly as a result of her performance in Marty Supreme.
It is disappointing that A'zion ended up among the 2026 Academy Award snubs rather than a first-time nominee, but her chaotic and emotional turn opposite Chalamet will have put her firmly on the map, Oscar or no. That said, she's hardly a newcomer – A'zion has been a prolific actress since making her debut in 2018, and anyone looking to catch up with her previous work doesn't have to look further than last year for a great starting point.
Odessa A'zion Is The Lead Actress In 2025's Pools
In early 2025, A'zion starred in Sam Hayes' directorial feature debut, Pools, as Kennedy, a struggling student whose constant absenteeism has her dangerously close to expulsion. Kennedy prefers a hedonistic approach to life in general, and this has hurt not just her reputation among her frustrated teachers, but also her grades.
After receiving an ultimatum that could potentially put a stop to her trajectory for good, Kennedy becomes determined to fix her attitude. However, she decides to have one final night of self-indulgence and invites three other people on campus to join her. They plan to swim in the pools owned by the rich residents in the neighborhood of their school.
While Odessa A'zion's HBO Max series I Love LA was likely her breakout role before Marty Supreme, her acting skills are on full display as the protagonist in Pools. The whimsical Kennedy has life-changing experiences that make her change her attitude over the course of the night, and A'zion's performance patiently captures the gradual transformation of her character.
Pools Shares Themes With Spring Breakers
Selena Gomez sitting on a bus in Spring Breakers
Pools spends time with each of its characters, but what stands out most is the film's intoxicating visual design. It almost makes the criminal behavior of the main characters look appealing with its blue-bathed color palette and the non-stop waves of Kennedy's laughs, which ebb and flow with the dreamy ripples inside the many swimming pools featured in the film.
The mood in Pools, characterized by a few students experiencing emotional highs and lows during a hedonistic night in which they get drunk, is reminiscent of the most popular college tradition in the USA. One of the most divisive movies that critics either hated or loved, A24's 2012 movie Spring Breakers, captures the irresponsible mood of a spring break.
Spring Breakers follows the wild adventures of four girls on their spring break, as the title suggests, during which they participate in drug and alcohol abuse and criminal activities. Most critics appreciated the film's exploration of gendered violence and power dynamics, but many despised the film's portrayal of femininity and the egregious sexualization of the young female characters.
Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez's Disney history made their casting in Spring Breakers particularly fascinating and controversial. The film's legacy is mostly attached to its controversy today, even though many have pointed out its feminist potential in the past thirteen years.
Pools Is Not Cynical Like Spring Breakers
While viewers of Spring Breakers will recognize the general lack of direction of the characters in Pools, the two movies have a major contrast in their tones. In its attempt to be satirical, Spring Breakers is decidedly lacking in optimism. While Pools does get dark at times, the film is mostly lighthearted and comforting, even when exploring heavy emotional trauma.
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Curious for more context and perspective? Subscribe to the newsletter for smart, context-rich coverage of standout performances, casting shifts, and films that could become cult favorites — a must-read for cinephiles tracking career arcs and trends. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Spring Breakers is considered among the 21st Century's top movies by many, despite its reputation, and this is hardly the case with Pools. However, Pools is a less mean-spirited film that concludes on a life-affirming note for Kennedy and her friends. With some better dramatic beats, Pools would've proven Spring Breakers' egregious objectification was unnecessary for its story to accomplish similar goals.
Pools Can Also Become A Cult Classic
While Spring Breakers is hardly a masterpiece, it is a bona fide cult classic and was A24's first hit. Considering its impact on the careers of its cast members and the controversy surrounding James Franco today, it's easy to see why the film's long-lasting legacy is intertwined with some of the thornier discourse surrounding it.
Pools has the potential to become a cult classic as well, primarily thanks to the popularity of its cast. Ariel Winter's career post-Modern Family has been understated, considering how popular she became during the show. Mason Gooding has become an indie darling over the years, and Odessa A'zion's career will likely soon reach unprecedented heights.
Pools
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Comedy Drama Release Date September 5, 2025 Runtime 99 minutes Director Sam Hayes Producers Jack Heston, Seth SavoyCast
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Odessa A'zion
Kennedy
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Ariel Winter
Delaney
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Mason Gooding
Reed
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Michael Vlamis
Michael
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